About PEPS 250

The goal of this course is very simple: get familiar with insects! The next time you see that thing crawling on your kitchen floor, you’ll be able to use your knowledge about insects and other arthropods to decide whether you should crush it or release it. You will also develop an appreciation for the important good things insects do for us and of course the bad things they do to us. You’ll be amazed at how they affect you in more ways than you ever dreamed before.  Many have central roles in sustaining our world, and yet other types of insects are responsible for causing devastating diseases that kill millions of people every year. 

About PEPS 363

PEPS 363 introduces the fundamental concepts of the scientific field of entomology. Students explore the unparalleled diversity and evolution of the Class Insecta and related groups. Students study basic insect biology, behavior, ecology, symbiosis and evolution. At the completion of this course students are able to locate and read primary scientific literature, make use of reference texts, understand basic concepts of entomology and insect groups, and demonstrate basic insect identification skills. Students develop skills in evaluation of the scientific literature and studying the natural history of insects. It is hoped that students will leave with an appreciation for this extraordinary group of animals. 

Foundations of Pest Management (PEPS 421)

Screenhouse IPM

This course provides a framework for understanding the world of insect-plant interactions, their evolutionary history and ecological significance. We explore how insect herbivores choose what to eat and how much to eat, how plants defend themselves and insect counter-adaptations. The goals of the course are to gain an appreciation for the co-evolutionary relationships between plants and insects, and to be able to critically discuss, orally and in writing, the influences of insect-plant interactions on plant and insect population dynamics and community ecology in a time of climate and anthropogenic change.